Sydney, Australia – (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) – CAE Australia today announced that it has upgraded the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) C-130J Hercules full-flight and mission simulator (FFMS) to provide additional tactical training capabilities. The upgrade was completed on budget and without taking the simulator out of service.

CAE Australia, prime contractor under the Management and Support of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Aerospace Simulators (MSAAS) contract, upgraded the C-130J simulator with a new radar warning receiver (RWR) simulation, which will be used to provide RAAF C-130J aircrews with early warning and threat detection alerts during training. Instructors will also be able to insert various radar threats into the simulator training sessions to provide RAAF aircrews with realistic tactical mission training scenarios.

“The addition of the RWR simulation to the C-130J simulator is consistent with the Commonwealth’s objective to ensure the Royal Australian Air Force’s training systems are concurrent with the platforms they simulate,” said Peter Redman, acting Managing Director, CAE Australia Pty Ltd. “We completed this simulator upgrade without any downtime to current training, and in advance of the upgrades being completed on the actual aircraft. The RAAF C-130J aircrews will now be well-trained and prepared as the RWR-capable Hercules aircraft re-enter service.”

The addition of the RWR simulation not only ensures the ongoing fidelity of the C-130J simulator, but also enhances the tactical training capabilities of the C-130J aircrew training system. The C-130J FFMS includes CAE’s Interactive Tactical Environment Management System (ITEMS) for creating complex tactical environment scenarios, as well as Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) functionality so the C-130J FFMS can be networked with the C-130H FFMS co-located at RAAF Base Richmond.

CAE Australia performed the upgrade under CAE’s Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) Letter of Authority. As a certified AEO, CAE is delegated design approval authority for engineering upgrades on in-service simulators for the Australian Defence Forces.

29 September 2011

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA ) has been awarded a Command Team Trainer Simulation Infrastructure contract under which KDA will support Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd (AWD Systems Engineer) in the delivery of this central component of the Air Warfare Destroyer Command Team Trainer (CTT).

The Simulation Infrastructure is based on Kongsberg’s PROTEUS Naval Training Technology and will provide the CTT with exercise control and a common synthetic environment for integration of the Aegis Weapon System and the other Hobart Class sensors and effectors.

The Iron Dome (photos : xairforces, csmonitor, noah eshel)The "Iron Dome" system deployed to protect the Israeli population from short-range rockets is also efficient against aircraft up to an altitude of 32,800ft (10,000m).

A Rafael source said that during the deployment of the first three systems the Israeli air force has learned about the extra capability."It will serve as another layer in our anti-aircraft deployment that consists of upgraded Hawk and Patriot missiles," the source said.

In the past few months, Iron Dome batteries have intercepted more than 90% of the BM-21 Grad and Kassam rockets launched from Gaza into Israel.

A mobile defence system aimed at intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells, Iron Dome avoids causing collateral damage by detonating a target warhead away from the defended area. Its interceptor has an effective range up to 70km (38nm), according to Rafael.

Foreign sources have indicated that Singapore has already purchased the Iron Dome system, with other countries also likely to show interest.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra apparently forgot which items were on the cabinet agenda yesterday, causing confusion when she confirmed the navy's submarine procurement project had received cabinet approval before retracting her statement hours later.

Emerging from the cabinet meeting at 2pm yesterday, Ms Yingluck appeared confused when asked about the navy's second-hand submarine procurement plan and the army's Black Hawk helicopter procurement plan.

"I don't remember. The cabinet considered 37 items today. The submarine procurement project has already been approved," she said.

Ms Yingluck later assigned the government spokesman team to address the blunder.

He told the media that the prime minister misunderstood a reporter's question about the submarines and helicopter projects. The cabinet yesterday approved the army's proposal to buy eight French-made helicopters, not the navy's submarine project, said Mr Chalitrat.

The army's Black Hawk helicopter procurement plan has yet to be considered by the Budget Bureau. The deputy spokesman said the navy's proposal was not on yesterday's cabinet agenda.

A source said government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng immediately called a meeting with members of the spokesman team following Ms Yingluck's confusing remark.

The spokesman team tried to explain to reporters that the prime minister may have been referring to the Marine Department's plan to buy boats for use in the exercise of using their propellers to speed up the flow of water out of flooded areas, the source said.

However, the propeller boats were not on yesterday's meeting agenda.

Mr Chalitrat said the cabinet approved a tied-over-budget for the army's project to procure eight Eurocopter AS 550 helicopters at 1.59 billion baht.

Ms Yingluck had reportedly asked the army to review the 2.8-billion-baht Black Haw procurement plan. She wanted the army to study details and technical issues of the US helicopters.

The developers say the revamped Tigr-6A armored vehicle is the largest Russian-made off-road vehicle to date. Although the Tigr-6A was designed in 2010, the Russian Army has yet to adopt it. This vehicle features double-layer special-steel armor and additional Kevlar-type protection against fragmentation munitions.

The BTR-82 and BTR-82A are an upgraded version of the BTR-80 and BTR-80A wheeled armored vehicles. The BTR-82 wheeled armored vehicle features energy absorbing structures, a more powerful diesel engine developing 300-hp of power, crew and passengers special suspension seats, a sophisticated fire suppression system, reinforced floor protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), higher rate of firepower, improved ballistic protection, command, increased survivability by 20 percent, reliability and mobility. All in, the new wheeled armored vehicles results heavier than its predecessors. In December 2008, Russia's Military Industrial Company (MIC) was already testing the prototypes which were unveiled in December 2009. In April 2010 MIC was marketing the BTR-82 and BTR-82A as a modernization program for existing BTR-80 operators.

The BTR-82 firepower has been enhanced installing an unified fighting module with electric drive and two stabilized arms with the main gun either a 14.5mm (BTR-82) or a 2A72 30mm (BTR-82A) cannon and the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The primary gun ammo feed system has been modified replacing the 10 50-round boxes by a single 500-round box eliminating the need of switching the ammunition box once the rounds have been fired. The gunner gets a new stabilized fire control system TKN-4. In addition to the new engine, the BTR-82 is also fitted with a new transmission components and suspension allowing an increased average speed in rough terrain. The vehicle command system is equipped with advanced communications, topographic maps and a surveillance camera (TKN-AI) for the vehicle's commander. Besides, the BTR-82 can be equipped with turrets and other equipment from third party vendors following the customers requirements.

Dili, (AP) - The naval component of the Armed Forces of Timor-Leste on 26 Sept welcomed the government's three South Korean patrol ships, baptized with the names of Kamenassa, Dili and Hera, which will enable us to strengthen the sovereignty in the waters Timorese.

"With these new naval units there is an increase, this strengthens the independence and sovereignty of Timor-Leste in national waters," he told Lusa news agency the captain of the sea-and-war Donaciano Gomes, commander of the Naval component of the Defence Forces Timor-Leste.

According to the captain of the sea-and-war, "armed forces through its navy need to be in the water for reasons of national sovereignty and independence."

The three units will be three squadrons, two coastal patrol and one of Intercession.

The ceremony was attended by several representatives of countries that have military cooperation with East Timor, including Portugal, Australia and Indonesia, as well as elements of the government and the Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta.

In his speech, Ramos-Horta thanked the "generous offer" of South Korea, as well as for all the help that has been granted to East Timor over the past 10 years.

"Our two countries are involved excecionais due to some common events in our history," he said.

Ramos-Horta thanked the other partners who have contributed to the development of the naval Timorese waters and prevented the country from being used for illicit activities.

During the ceremony, the boats were also baptized and blessed by your bridesmaids.

The Attorney General's Office, Ana Pessoa, was one of the women chosen to be the godmother of one of the new patrol vessels.

27 September 2011

Two more keel blocks had been delivered to Adelaide to construct Australia’s first Air Warfare Destroyer. This follows the delivery of the first keel block last month. The blocks were constructed at the Williamstown shipyard in Melbourne. They were loaded on to barges last week and transported to Adelaide over the weekend. (photo : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that two more keel blocks had been delivered to Adelaide to construct Australia’s first Air Warfare Destroyer.

This follows the delivery of the first keel block last month.

The blocks were constructed at the Williamstown shipyard in Melbourne.

They were loaded on to barges last week and transported to Adelaide over the weekend.

Mr Clare said this was another step forward in the $8 billion project to construct three new warships for the Royal Australian Navy.

“This is Australia’s biggest shipbuilding project,” Mr Clare said.

“90 separate blocks will be constructed to build the three most powerful warships the Royal Australian Navy has ever operated.

“About 70 blocks like this will be shipped to Adelaide over the next four years to be consolidated into Air Warfare Destroyers.

“These blocks weigh approximately 190 tonnes each. They are about 19 metres long, 17 metres wide and five metres high and will form part of the keel of the first warship – HMAS Hobart.”

The steel blocks are being built at shipyards in Adelaide (ASC), Melbourne (BAE Systems), Newcastle (Forgacs) and Ferrol, Spain (Navantia).

Three sonar blocks are being constructed in Spain and the United Kingdom.

The blocks will now be removed from the barge and transported by a large multi-wheeled vehicle to the pre-fit-out facility.

Further work on the blocks will then be completed including blast and paint, fitting pipes, installing communications and electrical cables and fitting internal walls.

Construction has begun on all main blocks for the first ship and work has also begun on blocks for the second ship, HMAS Brisbane.

Next year work will begin on blocks for the third ship, HMAS Sydney and the first ship will start to be consolidated in Adelaide.

Mr Clare thanked the more than 1,000 people currently working on the ships across the three Australian shipyards.

“The workers constructing these blocks are doing important work – building new warships for the Royal Australian Navy,” Mr Clare said.

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Government had given Second Pass Approval for two important capability projects: the purchase of 12 new watercraft for the two Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships and the enhancement of information and technology infrastructure at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) .

Purchase of watercraft for LHD (Joint Project 2048 Phase 3)

The Government has agreed to the purchase from Navantia of 12 medium-sized fast landing craft (the LCM-1E) for the LHD through Joint Project 2048 Phase 3.

This follows a decision in February 2009 to direct source the purchase of the watercraft to Navantia.

Navantia are building the hulls for the two LHDs and the watercraft will be purpose-built for these ships.

The watercraft will enable transport of troops and equipment from the LHDs to the shore including where there are no fixed port facilities.

The delivery of the first batch of four watercraft will be co-ordinated with the delivery of the first LHD, expected in 2014.

Construction of the LHDs is underway in Spain and Australia.

The LHDs are bigger thanAustralia’s last aircraft carrier.

Each is 230 metres long and can carry a combined armed battlegroup of more than 1000 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters. Each also includes a 40-bed hospital.Maintenance and support for the watercraft will be provided by Australian industry.

The total cost of Joint Project 2048 Phase 3 is cost capped between $300 million to $500 million in the Public Defence Capability Plan.

The final cost is subject to the satisfactory negotiation of a contract with acceptable terms and conditions.

The Government has also approved enhancements to information and communications technology infrastructure at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (Bungendore) as well as software upgrades to better support military planning.

The enhanced command and control system will also allow better communication between operations staff and troops, particularly commanders and Special Forces.

Defence will purchase commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software products which will then be integrated to meet requirements.

It is expected that the capital expenditure for these enhancements will generate around 75 jobs and support around 25 on-going jobs inAustralia.

Additional hardware and software upgrades to support better military planning will be considered by Government in future elements of Joint Project 2030 Phase 8.

The total cost of Joint Project 2030 Phase 8 is cost capped between $100 million to $300 million in the Public Defence Capability Plan.

GEMAS: There are no plans to purchase new military assets in the near future.

This includes replacements for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's MiG-29N Fulcrum aircraft, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.Instead, the ministry will conduct a study for possible replacements for the multi-role combat aircraft for future purposes.

Zahid said the government had more important things to focus on under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

Speaking after opening the Kompleks Mutiara Pernama at Camp Syed Sirajuddin here, yesterday, he said the Fulcrums would be replaced when the need arose. It was recently reported that the ministry was looking into replacing the MiG-29N fleet, which was purchased in 1995. Five aircraft had been identified as leading contenders for the contract -- France's Dassault Aviation's Rafale; the United States' Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet; Europe's Eurofighter Typhoon; the Swedish JAS- 39 Gripen and the Russian Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E.

Zahid said the ministry would continue with the other planned purchases under the 10MP, including second-generation offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy.Earlier, Zahid said the new Kompleks Mutiara Pernama offered those staying there the chance to purchase goods at cheaper prices."The chain of Pernama stores nationwide sells 370 products at cheaper prices through an annual RM5 million subsidy."

The RM10 million, three-storey complex on a 0.65ha site has 22 business premises.

KUALA LUMPUR: A signing ceremony was held at the Malaysian embassy in Paris on Friday for the transfer of ownership of an Agosta 70 submarine, which is to be converted into a museum in Malacca.

Director of International Development in the French Ministry of Defence, Yves Blanc, and Malaysian Ambassador to France Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal signed the transfer of ownership documents, according to a statement by the embassy.It said the agreement on the transfer of ownership was signed here on May 16.

The Agosta 70 submarine was used for the training of the crew of Malaysia's two French Scorpene submarines between 2005 and 2009 after the purchase contract was signed in 2002.

The vessel is to be transported on a floating dock to Malaysia next week in an operation organised by Felda Transport.It is to be handed over to the Malacca government for conversion into a museum at Klebang.

24 September 2011

At the Defense & Security Equipment International exhibition Terma and DCNS announced that their technical cooperation has resulted in an important improvement for ships with a need for protection against torpedoes.

Terma and DCNS have developed a fully automatic anti-torpedo decoy system.

The system uses the Terma 130mm Soft Kill Weapon System (SKWS) to fire DCNS CANTO-V anti-torpedo decoy. The SKWS upgrade for twin AAW and ASW purpose use the jointly developed software with advanced algorithm (embedding DCNS CONTRALTO-V reaction software) to support fully automatic firing. This provides the ship with an effective protection against torpedoes attacks. The decoys will be placed in the water in the best way to confuse the torpedo together with ship evasive manoeuvres proposal.With advanced algorithms, this system will provide the best firing solution and protection of all types of ships against torpedo attack.

The anti-ship missile threats continue to increase and evolve. New missiles are faster, stealthier, more manoeuvrable, and increasingly more intelligent with regard to target discriminationand electronic counter-countermeasure functionality, adevelopment leaving recent generations of hard- and soft kill systems less effective.

The use of hard-kill is further limited with the increasing peacekeeping and controlling activities in littoral waters where the release of weapons frequently is bound by strict engagement rules, but also requiring fast reaction time calling for a high degree of automation. In this situation, soft-kill i.e. decoysystems, have come to be seen as the non-aggressive self defence solution, a weapon of least regret.

Decoy systems are today fitted to all naval war vessels rangingfrom fast attack crafts, mine warfare vessels, frigates to evenbigger units as LPD’s as a key element in their electronic warfare suites. Integrated with the ship EW and Radar sensor assets the decoy system will provide fast and intelligent firing of all types ofoff-board decoys.

For high value and larger units, the advent of Active Offboard decoys provide improved defence. A further extension of thedecoy launching system is to fire acoustic decoys as part of theship’s torpedo defence suite.

The Terma SKWS Decoy Launching System is designed to fulfil allthese requirements.

Terma SKWS is a modern decoy launching system that can fire all existing 130 mm decoys – also known as SeaGnat decoys. The system is based on two Terma DL-6T launchers for small vesselsor two Terma DL-12T launchers for larger vessels, one for port andone for starboard mounting. The system may be expanded tocontrol up to 24 firing tubes on each side of the ship. The Terma launcher is designed to provide 360 degrees coverage against attacking anti ship missiles. This is obtained by carefully positioning a decoy from one of the multi-angular launchers.

The 130 mm decoy ammunition is supported throughout NATO and around the world with more than 500 systems in service. The high number of systems in service has promoted a continuous development of decoys from different and competing sources. Currently the following types of decoys are available and supported by Terma SKWS:

23 September 2011

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith announced today that Australia is investigating the purchase of a sixth C-17A Globemaster III heavy-lift aircraft.

Australia has sent a Letter of Request to the United States regarding the potential purchase of an additional C-17A aircraft through the United States Foreign Military Sales program, formally seeking cost and availability information.

A sixth C-17 would give the Government increased options to support a wider range of contingencies that might require heavy-lift aircraft. Advice from Defence is that a sixth aircraft would double the number of C-17A aircraft available for operations at any one time compared to four aircraft.

Minister Smith made this announcement at the Amberley Air Force Base today at the ceremony marking the arrival into Australia of the Royal Australian Air Force’s fifth C-17A.

The acquisition of the fifth C-17A was announced by the Government on 1 March this year and was confirmed in the 2011-12 Budget.

On 14 September, Minister Smith took delivery of the fifth C-17A Globemaster III at Boeing’s Long Beach production facility near Los Angeles.

The Royal Australian Air Force’s five C-17A aircraft were delivered over the period 2006 to 2011. The first of these became operational in 2007, providing the Australian Defence Force with a global airlift capability.

The addition of the fifth aircraft to the Air Force’s fleet will expand Australia’s capacity to deploy personnel and equipment rapidly all around the world.

The C‑17A aircraft can lift very large and heavy cargoes over long distances providing a significant contribution to Australia’s ability to reach and respond to events. One C‑17A can carry up to four C-130 Hercules loads in a single lift and cover twice the distance in three-quarters of the time of a C‑130.

Events in Queensland, Christchurch and Japan earlier this year underlined the C‑17s as an essential part of Australia’s capacity to respond to natural disasters both within Australia and within our region.

The ability of C-17s to move equipment and people played a vital role in the aftermath of Cyclone Yasi in north Queensland in February, helping to transport ADF personnel and civilians and airlifting more than 320 tonnes of cargo, including more than 200 tonnes of food supplies. C-17s also helped evacuate to safety in Brisbane more than 250 patients from Cairns Hospital and Cairns Private Hospital.

C-17s also delivered much-needed equipment, stores and emergency services personnel to New Zealand in the wake of the terrible February earthquake in Christchurch and returned more than 100 Australian civilians to Australia.

In March, following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, C-17s moved more than a million pounds (450 tonnes) of cargo, including 41 vehicles, as well as 135 passengers as part of Australia’s relief efforts in Japan. At one stage during the relief operation, Australia had three C-17 aircraft in Japan providing humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief support.

While disaster relief has been a recent public focus for C-17 operations, they also continue to support Australian and International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan and the Middle East, meeting their primary purpose in providing military long-range heavy airlift.

Following receipt of cost and availability information from the United States, the Government will make a decision about the purchase based on capability, cost and schedule assessments of the sixth C‑17A.

21 September 2011

Williamstown, Australia - BAE Systems has been engaged by the Commonwealth for the development and delivery of training for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships.

The training will rely heavily on simulation and virtual scenarios using the latest technology, including avatars.

BAE Systems Director of Maritime, Harry Bradford, said the use of advanced, computer-based technology for training had a number of advantages for the customer in terms of both cost and flexibility.

“The most obvious benefit in using computer simulation is that the technology allows us to recreate, and for the crew to interact with the LHD environment, without the actual completed ship. This means greater flexibility and lower cost for our customer.

“For instance the system is capable of familiarising various elements of the defence forces, including both army and navy, with the ship in terms of systems, capability, size and layout and these defence personnel can be in separate geographical locations across the country.

“With training commencing prior to delivery of the first ship, the flexibility of being able to train and familiarise defence forces at their home bases represents substantial cost savings for the Commonwealth.”

Mr Bradford said in addition to familiarising personnel with the LHD the training being developed by BAE Systems also included simulating emergency procedures and failure modes, all in a safe environment.

“This is also a major benefit for the crews of these ships in that we can recreate and test emergency procedures in a safe environment before procedures are implemented on the ship.”

There are also flow-on benefits from the creation of these training packages for other navy vessels.Mr Bradford said once created, these simulator programs can be easily migrated to AWDs, ANZACs and FFGs which could benefit the navy for all future training programs.

Work is underway on the development of some of the simulated training through KBR, which developed the avatar technology used in the Virtual Ship Training and Information System (ViSTIS), to be used for the LHD. BAE Systems has also recently awarded a contract to Kongsberg Maritime to provide a custom engine room simulator for the engineers who will serve aboard the LHDs.

A team of approximately 30 people at BAE Systems will manage the training process for the LHD Project. BAE Systems is the prime contractor. The first hull is expected to arrive in Williamstown in August 2012. Delivery of the first training packages is expected in 2013 ahead of the completion of the first ship.

The BrahMos Aerospace —the Indo-Russian joint venture that has developed the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile — is keen to sell the missile to Vietnam with which India is developing a strong strategic relationship, sources have confirmed.

However, the Indian government’s approval will have to be taken for any such acquisition. Sources also confirmed that Vietnam is already on a list of about 15 “friendly countries” — that was decided by a joint Indo-Russian supervisory council — to whom the BrahMos missile can be sold.

“Informal talks are on but no concrete proposal has been made as yet,” a source who did not want to be identified, told this newspaper. “Any acquisition of the BrahMos missile will be of immense value to Vietnam and will boost its defence preparedness,” sources said.

So far, the BrahMos missile has not been sold to any third country although a few have already evinced interest in acquiring it.

In a move that signalled the importance of strategic ties between India and Vietnam in the wake of increased Chinese military assertion in Asia, defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma had also recently begun an official visit to Vietnam. India is set to offer naval facilities for training and capacity building to Vietnam.

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa has rejected the navy's plan to pay 7.5 billion baht for six used submarines from Germany and questioned the cost-effectiveness and transparency.

He said yesterday a defence scrutiny committee he appointed had resolved to return the project to the navy for review. Gen Jongsak Panichkul, adviser to the defence minister, is chairing the committee, which also includes former navy chief Adm Prasert Boonsong.

"I want a review on the cost-effectiveness," Gen Yutthasak said. "The past government approved the establishment of a submarine fleet and the recruitment of personnel has been completed but transparent procurement has yet to be done."

He said he was not concerned about the Sept 30 deadline that Germany had set for the navy to confirm the purchase of its used U206A submarines. He said the German navy could be asked to extend the deadline.

"But if Germany refuses to extend the deadline, it will be up to the navy to propose submarines from any country for my consideration," the defence minister said. He is open to either new or used vessels.

A navy source said the defence scrutiny committee had recommended submarines from Russia, China and South Korea.

"The navy will let politicians make the choice," the source said. "It will just wait."

He said the German submarines were the best choice in terms of practicality for study, training and price.

MANILA, Philippines - A weather high-endurance ship and two naval helicopters would be the first items to be purchased using the P4.9 billion that was ordered released recently by President Aquino, the military said over the weekend.Brig. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, Armed Forces deputy chief for plans and programs, said the high-endurance cutter and the two helicopters, which would be acquired from the US government, would be used to enhance the military’s territorial defense capabilities.

“The high-endurance cutter and the two multi-purpose helicopters will be used to secure our marine resources and our territory,” Deveraturda told The STAR over the weekend.

The two multi-purpose naval helicopters would be subject to the regular bidding processes and are expected to complement the high-endurance ship to be acquired by the military since the vessel contains a hangar.One helicopter would be placed on the ship to be purchased while the other one would complement the Hamilton-class cutter acquired recently by the Navy.

“The helicopters would provide us flexibility when conducting patrols. These can also be used for search and rescue,” Deveraturda said.

Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., Armed Forces public affairs chief, said each helicopter would cost about P450 million, including equipment for search and rescue and safety of life at sea. The transfer cost of the high-endurance ship has yet to be determined.

Earlier, the government acquired a Hamilton-class vessel from the US Coast Guard to upgrade the military’s external defense capabilities.

The ship, which has been renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar, would be deployed to the West Philippine Sea to secure energy projects in the area.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar is classified as a cutter, a high-speed vessel that can cut through waves.The ship is the Navy’s first Hamilton-class cutter and is now its largest vessel. It was acquired under the US Foreign Military Sales program using proceeds from the Malampaya project funds.

Its transfer cost has been pegged at P450 million while the operational cost for two years is estimated at P120 million.

The purchase of two naval helicopters is expected to improve the capabilities of the Naval Air Group, which badly needs new aircraft.

A naval helicopter is an integral part of the weather high-endurance cutter as this would enable the military to conduct maritime air patrol operations.